CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cavs have reached a crossroads in
their season. They came into the year with playoff aspirations, hoping to avoid
a trip back to the lottery. But they have underachieved and
currently sit four games out of the eighth spot with an 18-33 record, raising
numerous questions about the future of the franchise.

The first big step was taken last week, with general manager
Chris Grant being fired. The move has served as a bit of a wake-up call as the
Cavs have played harder and won two straight. But interim GM David Griffin
still has some tough decisions facing him, and with the NBA trade deadline 10
days away, the Cavs could be one of the busiest teams in the league.

First they have to decide which approach to take.

Will they be "buyers" or "sellers" at the deadline? Griffin
mentioned Sunday afternoon that he doesn't see the team getting better becoming
a seller, indicating that line of thinking has left the organization. The
next decision is whether anything has to be done to crawl back into the playoff
picture. The Eastern Conference is wide open and the Cavs' recent play could
deter Griffin from making any changes, thinking the increase in effort is
all the boost the team needs.

Grant has given the Cavs assets to work with. Teams may come
calling for the stash of draft picks, Dion Waiters, Jarrett Jack,
Tristan Thompson or even Anderson Varejao, whose name continues to get linked
to rumors.

This year's trade deadline, like so many in years' past is
tough to predict. Some teams that looked like bottom feeders at the start of
the season have surprised (Toronto Raptors and Charlotte Bobcats), and are in the playoff chase. Other teams have
underachieved (Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves) and could be open for business.

View full sizePhiladelphia 76ers forward Evan Turner (12) runs toward his bench in celebration of his buzzer-beating shot at the end of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics in Boston, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014. The 76ers won 95-94. AP Photo/Elise Amendola

Evan Turner, Shooting Guard, Philadelphia 76ers – The
second-overall pick in the 2010 draft has failed to live up to lofty
expectations in Philadelphia. But Turner has been known as a late bloomer. At
Ohio State, it took him three years to become the National Player of the Year.
And he's following the same path in the NBA. After averaging single digit points
in his first two seasons, Turner enjoyed a rise to double figures last season
and he has added to it this year, averaging 17.8 points, 6.0
rebounds, 3.8 assists while shooting 43 percent from the field. Philadelphia
has started to collapse after a surprising start and with Turner a free agent
at the end of the season he could probably be had for a future asset. A draft pick maybe? His shaky jumper remains a work in progress, but he can play and
defend a multitude of positions as well as score from different areas on the
court.

Spencer Hawes, Center, Philadelphia 76ers – There aren't too
many legit seven footers that can score, rebound, defend and knock down three
pointers. That's Hawes, who's in the midst of a career year averaging 14.3
points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 40 percent from
distance. Nerlens Noel, the center of the future, is already on the roster.
Hawes, 25, is going to be a free agent at the end of the season. It seems
Philadelphia has reason to move him and he could become a floor spacing big
that adds to the Cavs' frontcourt depth while at the same time becoming an
insurance policy for the oft-injured Anderson Varejao.

Ersan Ilyasova, Power Forward, Milwaukee Bucks – It was a
few years back when the Milwaukee Bucks invested in Ilyasova, 26. He has struggled
with his shot this season (37% field goals, 28% three pointers) but has shown
throughout his career (44% field goals, 37% three pointers) to be much more
reliable. He's a true "stretch four" with an ability to score the ball inside
as well as extend his game outside to pull the defenders away from the basket,
creating driving lanes for his teammates. Three straight seasons averaging
double figures shows that can he be a scoring threat when healthy, which has
been the biggest issue for Ilyasova.

Rajon Rondo, Point guard, Boston Celtics – There are lots of
questions about Rondo. One is his health. The triple-double threat returned
just a month ago from a Torn ACL and is the kind of guy that throws his body
around, inviting contact. He is also still experiencing some soreness in his repaired knee. Another issue is his attitude. Given the Cavs' past chemistry issues and locker room volatility, he could be a poor fit. And then there's his position. Rondo, a
sweet-passing point guard, dominates the ball. A true offensive engineer, his
arrival would move Kyrie Irving off the ball and the Cavs would have to
figure out if that backcourt would mesh while Irving still proves effective
not running the show.

Rondo is a difference-making talent, one of the best
point guards in the league. He can get to the basket at will, creating shots
for himself and his teammates. He's defensive-minded and rebounds as well as
any player at his position. And he's just 27 years old, stepping into his
prime. NBA basketball is not a video game. How a guy fits and the kind of attitude
he has both matter. But the Cavs have to at least consider the possibility of
putting together one of the most devastating backcourts in the league.

View full sizeBoston Celtics guard Avery Bradley, right, wraps around Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) on a drive to the basket during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Boston, Friday, April 5, 2013. AP Photo/Charles Krupa

Avery Bradley, Shooting Guard, Boston Celtics – The Celtics
have already made one trade. Boston dealt guards Jordan Crawford and Marshon
Brooks to the Golden State Warriors in a three-team deal that netted Boston two
draft picks. But the Celtics still have a logjam in the backcourt with Rondo,
Phil Pressey, Jerryd Bayless and Bradley fighting for minutes. Bradley, once
known as a pesky defender, has improved his offense significantly in his
fourth season. He's averaging 14.3 points while shooting 43 percent from the
floor, including 35 percent on three pointers. At 23 years old, Bradley's a tough-minded
player that has developed each season, and with his contract status - restricted free agent at the end of the season - the Celtics could move him.

Arron Afflalo, Shooting Guard, Orlando Magic – He's the oldest player on this list. But the 28-year-old wing represents everything that the
Cavs need. He's an excellent long-range shooter, making 39 percent of his three
pointers throughout his career, including nearly 43 percent this season. With
teams focusing so much attention on Irving, having a marksmen
in the backcourt will make the Cavs offense more potent and his presence could
help Irving return to his All-Star form. Afflalo started his career known as a
defensive stopper, a role that he relishes and hasn't relinquished despite
three different NBA stops. But he's improved and become much more than
that. Afflalo's points per game have gone up every year and he currently averages
19.8, which puts him in the Top 20 in the NBA. Orlando is going nowhere, except
to the lottery.

Harrison Barnes, Small Forward, Golden State Warriors – The
Warriors will have to take a hard look at their roster prior to the deadline or
in the offseason. They've already won 30 games in the Western Conference this year, but the roster makeup is head
scratching. And Barnes, 2012's seventh pick, could be expendable despite
being the team's fourth-leading scorer.

View full sizeGolden State Warriors' Harrison Barnes celebrates with teammate Andre Iguodala during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014, in Oakland, Calif. Golden State won 102-87. AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez

Wanting to be more defensive minded the Dubs brought in Andre Iguodala, who occupies the same position as
Barnes. Since returning from a hamstring injury early in the season, Iguodala has
not lived up to the cash thrown his way. His arrival put Barnes, last year's
playoff star, on the bench and Barnes doesn't look comfortable after a strong start. He's averaging nearly
four less points as a reserve than he is as a starter and while he has kept a positive
attitude, the move to the bench has hurt his development.
Making matters worse, the Warriors' other reliable bench player is Draymond
Green, who is also a small forward. Depth is one thing but having the two best
bench players play the same position as the big money free agent acquisition
seems overkill. While Barnes has some versatility, playing shooting guard and
power forward in a small-ball lineup this season, it's tough for him to get
consistent minutes and shot attempts in those spots too. Shooting guard Klay
Thompson plays all but 10 minutes per game while taking 16 shots. David Lee,
last year's All-Star forward, plays 34 minutes per game and heaves up 15 shots.
Barnes, meanwhile, is averaging nine shots in his 29 minutes. The Warriors have
a logjam at his position. It's tough to get everyone minutes. And it could lead to them making a deal. The Cavs, who may need
a small forward of the future depending on the offseason decision from Luol
Deng, have the assets to grab the still developing player that has a strong
relationship with Irving.

Greg Monroe, Center/Power Forward, Detroit Pistons – This
would be a deal between two underachieving teams. The Pistons, who paid over
$50 million this offseason for Josh Smith, opened up the possibility of moving
Monroe. For the Cavs, this makes perfect sense. Monroe is 23 years old and is
the kind of offensive low post threat Cleveland doesn't have on its roster.
Along with being able to score down low, Monroe has also shown deft touch and
an ability to knock down the mid-range jumper. Cleveland would finally have its No. 2 scoring option to take pressure off Irving. And provided the Cavs re-sign Monroe, who is a restricted free agent following this season, he and Irving could make a sweet tandem for years.

From the Pistons standpoint it would allow them to save their money for Andre
Drummond, an emerging force and franchise centerpiece. It would also allow
Detroit to play Josh Smith at his more natural position of power forward.

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